More than 2,000 Bangladeshis line up daily at their Riyadh Embassy to get their machine readable passports (MRP) from their country.
Bangladeshi Ambassador Mohamed Shahidul Islam said that his government has given a deadline for its nationals to obtain their MRPs by 2015.
There are some 1.5 million Bangladeshi expatriates in the Kingdom and they have to get their documents processed.
Former Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, accompanied by the country’s State Minister for Home Affairs Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, flagged off the MRP scheme at the consulate in Jeddah and at its embassy in Riyadh last year.
The envoy explained that the large crowds at the embassy were there not only to renew passports but also for other consular works such as change of professions, change of civil status and inclusion of their children in the passports.
To cope with the rush, he said the mission has requested its embassy officials to help the consular department to speed up the work.
He recalled that around 750,000 Bangladeshi migrant workers had benefited from an amnesty offer for illegal workers to correct their status by the Saudi authorities.
About 400,000 undocumented workers’ passports were renewed and issued while around 350,000 workers, who were at risk of becoming undocumented, were able to change their professions.
In addition to consular services offered in Riyadh, the Bangladesh Embassy also organized consular services in Jubail, Al-Ahsa, Dammam, Al-Jouf, Sakaka and Al-Qassim.
The Jeddah Consulate also offered consular services in Khamis Mushayt, Jazan, Najran, Tabuk, Yanbu, Al-Baha and Madinah.
Anwarul Haque, who got his new machine readable passport at the embassy told Arab News that the mission had made good arrangements to process the applications.
He said that he got his passport within three weeks from the time of his application.
Wahidul Islam praised the services rendered by the embassy officials in facilitating the issuance of the new machine readable passports. “Embassy officials were courteous while offering their consular services,” he added.
Bangladeshis thronging embassy for new passports
Bangladeshis thronging embassy for new passports
Al Akaria signs SR1.2bn agreement lease with Amsa Hospitality
- Project, located in Riyadh Diplomatic Quarters, spans approximately 40,000 sq. meters and includes 240 modern residential units, comprising 176 apartments and 64 villas and townhouses
- CEO of Amsa Hospitality Muin Serhan: We have a certain commitment to deliver to the community and to the project in particular
RIYADH: The Saudi Real Estate Co., also known as Al Akaria, recently announced the signing of a lease agreement for the Amsa Vue Residential Compound in Riyadh with Amsa Hospitality, with the total value of the project estimated at around SR1.2 billion ($320 million).
Spread across 20 years, the cost reflects the long-term nature of the investment and its focus on value, sustainability, and operational quality.
The project, located in Riyadh Diplomatic Quarters, spans approximately 40,000 sq. meters and includes 240 modern residential units, comprising 176 apartments and 64 villas and townhouses.
Acting CEO of Al Akaria Khalid Al-Sehaibany stated that the project embodies the company’s approach to developing residential communities that focus on an integrated experience built on quality planning and comprehensive facilities, elevating the standard of living in Riyadh.
CEO of Amsa Hospitality Muin Serhan told Arab News that the core philosophy behind the project is to create a space that focuses both on individuals and community values.
Serhan pointed out that this strategy is central to a broader ambition to redefine hospitality in Saudi Arabia by embedding the hallmark of Arabian hospitality into the brand’s identity.
“We have a certain commitment to deliver to the community and to the project in particular. Year on year, we're adding value to the landlord and the owners of the assets,” he said.
He outlined a clear vision for the company’s legacy, aiming to set a new standard for hospitality management in the region. The goal, he said, is to be the go-to partner for developers and asset owners seeking to integrate hospitality elements into their projects.
Serhan confirmed that this vision is currently being brought to life through close collaboration with contractors and designers.
He emphasized that the process is a “moving journey,” where the designer, the brand, and the location converge to create a product that truly reflects the local narrative.
